Excess flow valve



July 20, 1948- c. FANsHn-:R

EXCESS FLOW VALVE Filed Maron 25, 1945 e W w am t 9 o a M 9 4 4, a 4 m 7 ,J

IN VEN TOR. BYLr/( f Patented July 20, 1948 lNITED'v PATENT OFFICE EXCESS FLOWv VALVE Chester Fanshi'er, Bartlesville, Okla. Application March 2 3, 1945",` Serial No. 584,395

4 Claims. l

The present invention relates to an excess flow valve structure placed in any passage or conduit' through which fluid. underl pressure passes, for the purpose of shutting off or materiallyreducing flow of fluid under pressure if: the passage or conduit or any portionthereof should break. or leak or be opened to-v atmosphere or to lower pressure-. More particularly.. it. relates to improvements in excessflow valve structure to be used in association with gauge tubes such as shown in the Frazier Patent 827,574 issued October 1?.; 1931-, and also in loading, unloading or transfer lines from or to tankshandling a fluid'under pressure.

In handling fluid under pressure, such as liquified petroleum. gases, the pressures under which these uids are handled are steadily increasing due to changing loading procedures'. As pressures on the fluids haveA increased, ball and slug type check valves close more readily andl needv lessly. under the increased. pressurel and present an annoyance. Cl'iambers` housing the ball have been increased in diameter in order to permit freer passageI of the. pressure fluid; by the ballV withoutv the balll closing off, which helps toA some` extent but does not offer a complete solution to' the problem. In present gauge tubesV aI small oriceis screwed-into the top of thegauge tube to" restrict the flow which in turn4 cuts downthe pressure on the balll member to prevent needless; closing of the ball: type check valve. Operators' insist on removing the orifice, which aggravates the problem and, even with the orifice; there" is,- still' a very` defini-te problem present of. the ball type valve closing when no emergency exists.

It is an object of the invention among others to provide an improved excess ow valve that wonti inadvertently be closed by pressurehuid .flow when. noemergency exists; an improved excess flow valve that requires. a pressure differential, before being forcedinta a closed position as when. an emergency exists; an excess.v ow valve that wontfbe actuated; by small fluctuations in pres-A sure within a container. An excess; flow valve that is simple of design andv easy to assemble; an excess ilow valve economical in operation; and. an excess flowvalve d-urable in operation and requiring. few replacement parts. Qther objectsv will become apparent from. a detailed descriptiontofollow in conjunction withl the drawing.

In carrying out the objects of the invention.,

there is provided an. excess fl'ow valve structure.: having a body member through which a fluid under pressure hows. Within the body member is a` conduit with a sliding. member within the body member tu Control ow fV fluid; through the.

conduit. Also within the. body member is a closed` chamber separated from the conduit by a portion of the sliding member and` said sliding member,- in the operation of the excess flow valve, beingv moved into a closed position. across the conduit upon a sudden drop of pressure' inthe chamber by thepressure of fluid flowing through theconduit forcing the sliding member into seal ing. position. across the. conduit. Between the conduit and chamber is a small or. slight opening, which can be a small hole drilled through a portion4 ci. the' sliding member or a. loose fit to provide a. clearance betweenV the portion of the sliding. member and chamber wall. to allow leakage of fluid under pressure from the conduit into. the chamber tozthusestablishA a balance of pressure between the. chamber and conduit. The sliding member. has an` upper piston and a lower plunger with. a rodconnecting the two members. The upper piston separates.y the chamber and conduit while-the lower; plunger is adapted to contact a seal within the conduit to close off iow through the` conduit. Into the top oi the body member connect tube members, one connecting into the conduit while theV other makes an extension of the chamber.; These tubes may take the form of concentric tubes' which may be rigid or iiexible or may bea rigid or flexible tubehaving a central passageand' a second tube formed by a series ot passageways interconnected by labyrinth channels in the side Wall, of the tube member. Means are provided in one modification in the form. of a spring to normally hold the sliding member' in open. relationship to the conduit. Means arev f provided; for returning the sliding member to an.

openposition after it has closed off. the conduit and:` the threat of danger is no longer present which basically isl a means: for equalizing the pressure inthe chamber and conduit. This may take-the form of a slight score on the seat, a small hole through the lower plunger, from top to bottom or if.r positive action is.` desired, it may take the forni of. a manually operated valve which can be actuated from outside of the body membert, torequalizepressure on each side of the piston.

The invention will be better understood: from the. followingv detailed description having reference tothe accompanying drawings wherein like. reference numerals have been used to represent like partsthroughout the several views and which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional View of an' excess-` GW valve showninstalled on the end of a gauge rod;V which gauge rod is shown in cross-section and broken as to its length.

Eigurei 211s aj cross-.sectional View of a modifiedL 3 form of excess-flow valve connected into the outlet of a tank and connected to an outlet line leading away from the tank.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of outlet or transfer line leading from a tank.

Figure 4 is a stretchout sectional view on the line 4--4 of Figure 3 showing labyrinth channels and connecting ports in the side wall of the outlet line.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 particularly, I represents a body member of an excess flow valve which body member has a central longitudinal passageway or bore of two diameters, the lower bore I I being or" a larger diameter than the upper bore I2. Between the upper bore I2 andthe lower bore II is a seat I3, and reciprocable inthe lower bore II is a plunger I4 which is loosely fitted within the bore II. The plunger I4 is connected by rod I5 to a piston I6 which piston I6 is reciprocable in the upper bore I2. The plunger I4, rod I5 and piston I6 all combine to form a sliding member reciprocable within the body member I6. A portion I1 on the upper end 0f the plunger I4 engages the seat I3 when the plunger is moved upwardly providing a seal at this point. The plunger I4 is held from falling out of the body member IIJ by plug IS which also provides a means for removal of the sliding member for replacement or for inspection of the interior of the body member.

In the side wall of the lower portion of the body member Ill is a passageway I9 which extends upwardly and connects into that portion of the central passageway which forms the lower bore I I, On the opposite side, and above the iirst passageway, is a second passageway 20, the lower end of which connects into the central passageway in bore II and the upper end of passageway 2l) connects with an outlet end 2|' of the body member IIJ. The passageway I9, central passageway or bore Il and passageway 20 combine to form a conduit through the body member extending substantially from one end of the body member to the other and flow through the conduit being controlled by the plunger member I4, when the sliding member is moved upwardly and the upper portion I1 on the top of the plunger I4 seats against the seat I3 to close off flow through the conduit.

The upper bore I2 forms a chamber 28 which connects with a passageway 22. In the modication shown in Figure 1, the excess flow valve is connected with a gauge rod such as disclosed in the Frazier Patent 1,827,574 issued October 13,

1931. The passageway 22 connects into an outer tube 23 of the gauge rod while an inner tube 24 connects with the passageway 20 and conducts normal ow through the excess flow valve through the gauge rod. The two tubes 23 and 24 are concentric leaving a space 25 therebetween which forms an extension of the chamber 28 formed in the bore I2. Any means may be provided for closing the upper end of space 25 and in Figure 1 a means is shown which comprises a coupling member 26 screwed on to tube 23 and a tight slip fit between the coupling 26 and the inner tube 24. In the coupling 2B is a screw plug 21 which may be removed to open space 25, passageway 22 and the chamber 28 in the bore I2 to the atmosphere for test purposes.

In normal operation of the structure as shown in Figure l, the plunger I4 rests in lowered position against plug I8 and fluid under pressure flows through p assage I9, into the central passageway at the top of bore II past seat I3 into the lower portion of bore I2 in the central passageway, then through passageway 20 into inner concentric tube 24, which ow may be controlled by a valve placed upon the upper end of coupling 2.6 (not shown), or whatever means of closure is used for space 25.

During the time the tank, in which the `gauge tube of Figure 1 is installed, is being increased in pressure bythe inflow of fluid under pressure as during loading, pressure will also increase in passageway I9, the central passageway in lower bore I I above plunger I4 and in upper bore I2 below piston I6. Piston I6 is so constructed that there is a slight opening between the central passageway below the piston I6 and the central passageway above piston I6. This may take the form of a small hole drilled through piston I6 or may be as in Figure 1, a loose t of the piston I6 within the bore I2, leaving enough space to allow a slight ilow from the central passageway below the piston to the chamber 28 above piston I6. The small space or opening allows an equalizing flow of fluid under .pressure topass around or through the piston into chamber 28 above piston I6 in the bore I2, then into passageway 22 and space 25. The equalizing flow will continue, assuming screw plug 21 tightly in place, until the tank in which the gauge rod is present has reached its maximum pressure and until the pressure within space 25 has reached the pressure of the fluid in the central passageway below the piston I 6. The buildup of pressure within the tank in which the gauge rod is placed and consequently in the central passageway below the piston I 6 should be slow enough to permit the equalizing ilow to maintain a differential of pressure which is not too great in the central passageway below piston I6 over that in the bore I2 above piston I6. If the differential becomes too great, the fluid under pressure in the central passageway below piston I5 will exert a. force on the under side of the piston I6 suilcient to lift the piston upwardly, thus lifting plunger I4 along with it until the portion I1 seats on I3 to close off the conduit through the body member and thus close off normal flow. A proper balance of dimensions and weights must be established in order to affect correct working relations. Further, during the time of equalization, it is immaterial whether normal ilow exists through the conduit or not.

As long as plunger I4 remains in the lowered position, normal flow is free to pass from the tank in which the gauge rod is placed, outward through the gauge tube, unless restricted by a control valve (not shown) on coupling 26. If plug 21 is removed or if breakage or an appreciable leak occurs in the outside tube 23 or its connecting means, fluid under pressure in space 25 is free to pass outward and the pressure in space 25, passageway 22 and chamber 28 in bore I2 above piston I6 is lowered suddenly. Then the equalizing flow around or through piston I6 being a restricted flow, 'is unable to maintain a balance of pressure on the opposite sides of piston I6, thus establishing a diierential of pressure. Wlhcn this occurs, pressure on the under side of piston I6 is great enough to lift the piston upwardly, thus carrying the plunger I`4 upwardly until the portion I1 on the plunger contacts thel seat I3, thus closing off normal flow through the conduit and further closing off ow by or through the atmosphere' wherev an` explosive mixture meansI thatplunger i41 must be lowered, thus breaking the seal between thel portion I'1 andseatl f3. A slightV score may be provided in seat I`3--orl portion I1 on plunger I4, to allow a restricted-leakage through the seal to againedualize pressure onopposite sides of piston I6. alternative, a small lhole through the lower Vportion, from top to bottom of plunger I4 could: be employed to equalize the pressure on opposite sidesy of the seat I3;

Fig-ure 2 shows another modication of the exloessA flow valvewith one main point of difference over Figure l being a' manually operatedvalve member, operable from exteriorly of the excess fio-w valve, toouickly and readily equalize pressure on the opposite sides of a piston member. A further'difference over Figure lfis thatv the exeessow valve is shown as used with unloading, loading or transfer lines, wherein the line is flexible.l A. body member30 is disclosed attached into a tank 3l, as by screw threading and said body member has a central longitudinal passageway 32, through the lower end thereof. Opening 33 in the body member conne-cts the interior of tank 3| with the central longitudinal passageway 32 while opening 34 connects the central passageway 32 with passageway 35 which in turn connects with inner ilexible tubing 36. The opening 33, centralY passageway 32, opening 3,4 and passageway Sli-form a conduit through the body member' which maintains normal ilow throughA the excessA ow valve structure.

Within` the body member 36 and/near the center thereof is a bore 31., the .topof which connects with a passageway 33. Connected to the upper portion of the body member 30 is a exible tube 39, concentric with the tube 36 and surrounding said tube 36 so as to leave a space 40 between the tubes 36 and 39. The bore 31 has slidably mounted therein a piston 4|, which piston 4| connects by rod 42 with a plunger 43. It is noted that the plunger 43 in Fi-gure 2 is of smaller size, hence of less weight than the plunger of Figure 1, and spring 44 is employed in Figure 2 to insure that the plunger 43 is held in its downward posi tion. Here again the plunger 43, rod 42 and piston 4I make a slidable member within the body member. In the central passageway is a seat 45 and on the plunger 43 is a portion ,46, which portion 46 contacts seat 45 when the sliding member moves upwardly in order to close ofi the conduit through the body member just as explained for Figure 1. Closure 41 in the bottom of the body member is removable just as plug I6 is removable in Figure 1 for the same purpose.

The bore 31 above piston 4l has chamber 58 which chamber has extensions formed by passageway 38 and space 40 to provide a space for pressure fluid flow just as in Figure 1 and a space is provided between piston 4l and bore 31 to allow As an f equalzing now. `'The space may beprrivideci by havingthepiston loosely t inthe-bore 31, as in Fig-ureffl, but thismeans has not been found asdesirable in the structure of Figure 2 as a small opening drilled through the piston 4 i or a manually operable opening. The operation of the structure of Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 except that a manually operated valve 48, having a packing 49vin the body wall 30, normally closes opening 50 leading into passageway 38. When the plunger 43 is against seat 45, closing off the conduit in an emergency, and repairs have been made, it is desired to reset the excess iiow valve. Manually operated valve 48 is pulled outwardly against spring 5I, thus uncovering opening 5B andallowing pressure to equalize on each side of piston 4I while spring 44 forces the sliding member downwardly, thus unseating plungerv 43 from seat 45 to re-establish normal iiow through the conduit.

Figure 2 does not show means of closing space 40 between inner and outer flexible tubes 36 and 39 beyond the ends, which are attached to the body member. It may be done by any wellknown means for attaching flexible hose, or similar in eifectA tothe means shown in Figure 1 except that with flexible tubes, a. slip fit of the inner tube would not be desirable and amore positive mean shouldebe employed;

Where excessow valves are incorporated in a flow line, means must be provided for transferring the equalized pressure from space 40 to the comparable` space in any extensions of the line past the valve;` Such Valves in the flfjv line may, if

desired, be provided with double walls, in:which casespace 40, can be so connected as to be continuous wi-th comparable chambers inV the valve and inY extension connections beyond in the valve.- Any number of. extensions and any number of valves` or otherttings may be provided and will noty cause the` excess flow valve to become inoperable, unless such length ofV line or restrictions of space 40 within valves or connections be introduced; that suiiicient, resistance to flow along space 40 is set up that an operable pressure equalization cannot be establishedbetween chamber 58.1above, and passage 32 below piston 4I.

Figure 3 shows a different arrangement for providing a. double wall in transfer tubes. A series of. closely adjacent passageways or labyrinth channels 6i) are provided extending longitudinally of tube 6I with each channel connected to its neighboring channel on each side with a series of connecting ports 62, thus providing a free flow of fluid, and consequently of pressure build-up,

throughout the entire labyrinthian structure. Small metal or hard plastic tubes 63 of short length are inserted in all or many of the passageways at the end of the tube where it joins the connection or body member 64 to prevent crushing and closing of the longitudinal channels by pressure of a binding clamp such as a tapered nut 65 as shown in Figure 3, and having a seal 66 between the tapered nut 65 and body member 64. Any means of clamping may be used to clamp the tube to the valve body member just so an effective seal is provided between the tube and body member. The present structure can be incorporated in flexible molded tubes, such as rubber or plastic tubes and can also be incorporated in metallic tubes.

While the invention has been described in connection with several specic embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than of limitation, and that .practice of the invention within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the true scope of the invention in all its aspects.

I claim:

1. An excess flow valve structure through which a uid under pressure flows comprising a body member, a conduit within the body member, a sliding member within the body member controlling flow of fluid under pressure through the conduit, a closed chamber within the body member separated from the conduit by a portion of the sliding member, concentric tubes connecting into the upper end of the body member, the inner tube of the concentric tubes connecting into the conduit to conduct normal flow of fluid under pressure away from the valve structure while the outer tube connects into the chamber and forms an extension of the chamber and said sliding member being moved into a closed position across the conduit upon a sudden drop of pressure in the chamber due to a break or leak in the outer tube by the pressure of fluid ilowing through the conduit forcing the sliding member into sealing position across the conduit.

2. An excess ilow valve structure through which a fluid under pressure flows comprising a body member a conduit Within the body member, a sliding member within the body member controlling flow of fluid under pressure through the conduit, a closed chamber within the body member separated from the conduit by a portion of the sliding member, flexible concentric tubes connecting with the upper end of the body member, the inner exible tube connecting into the conduit to conduct normal ow of uid under pressure away from the valve structure while the outer exible tube connects into the chamber and forms an extension of the chamber and said sliding member being moved into a closed position across the conduit upon a sudden drop of pressure in the chamber due to a break in the outer exible tubing by the pressure of fluid owing through the conduit forcing the sliding member into sealing position across the conduit.

3. An excess ow valve structure through which a fluid under pressure flows comprising a body member, a conduit within the body member, a sliding member Within the body member controlling flow of fluid under pressure through the conduit, a closed chamber within the body member separatedfrom the conduit by a portion of the sliding member, a tube member connecting into the upper end of the body member conducting normal ow oi uid under pressure away from the valve structure, a second tube formed by a series of labyrinth channels interconnected by ports all located in the side wal-l of the first mentioned tube member connecting into the chamber and forming an extension of the chamber, and said sliding member being moved into a closed position across the conduit upon a sudden drop of pressure in the chamber due to a break or leak in the tube member by the pressure of uid owing through the conduit forcing the sliding member into sealing position across the conduit.

4. An excess flow valve structure through which a fluid under pressure flows comprising a. body member, a sliding member within the body member controlling flow of fluid under pressure through the conduit, a closed chamber Within the body member separated from the conduit by a portion of the sliding member, said sliding member being moved into closed position across the conduit upon a sudden drop of pressure in the chamber due to a leak from the chamber by the pressure of iluid ilowing through the conduit forcing the sliding member into sealing position across the conduit, a communication between the chamber and conduit normally closed by a valve member, and said valve member being accessible from exterior of the body member to open communication between the chamber and conduit to equalize pressure in the chamber. and conduit with the sliding member returning to open position with relation to the conduit.

CHESTER FAN SI-IIER.

iamuinENcEsv CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,250,388 Titus Dec. 18, 191'7 1,950,728 Heaney Mar.v13, 1934 2,016,229 Dight Oct. 1, 1935 2,047,403 Beck July 14, 1936 2,172,345 Bucknell Sept. 12, 1939 

